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Laundering of theatre scrubs and hats: Hospital Laundry versus Home laundry

Is there any clear evidence to show that laundering theatre attire (scrubs, hats) through the hospital laundry system provides better infection prevention than laundering at home?

2 Comments

  1. Heather Kirton Jan 3, 2023 11:24 AM

    Hi Georgina, isnt it about assurance? IF laundry done at home was proven to meet the required spec eg at the necessary temp for the necessary time, then it "might" be OK - but how would an employing organisation ever be able to evidence that? We also wouldn't want to see people taking blood-stained items home to launder ... but how bloodstained does it have to be? I think that would be difficult to determine, and hence difficult to show that we (as an employer) had done all we could to manage the risk of exposure to blood/other bodily fluids that may contain pathogens. That's my take on it, anyway.

  1. Susan C. Wynne Jan 10, 2023 01:10 PM

     I would review the guidance before making any decisions about taking scrubs home to launder as there are specific controls and processes required.
    https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Mgmt_and_provision.pdf

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